Bexhill-on-Sea

Bexhill on Sea - timeless Edwardian seaside town

This elegant resort is the birthplace of British motor racing, home to the De La Warr Pavilion, one of the UK’s finest examples of modernist architecture and now a major arts centre and also has a two mile stretch of level promenade and beach to enjoy.

Bexhill’s colourful history is first recorded in 772 during the reign of King Offa. It was the base of several notorious smuggling gangs during the 17^th and 18th centuries and in 1804 became the garrison town of King George III’s German Legion to protect the area from the French. The 8^th Earl of De la Warr developed Bexhill as a fashionable resort - the town was the first place in Britain to permit mixed bathing and had one of the country’s first cinemas.

The Colonnade is just one of several fascinating architectural features along the seafront and promenade. You will also see elegant Victorian, Edwardian and Art deco buildings. An exciting seafront regeneration project ‘New Wave’ is currently taking place at the western end. This will create wide grass terraces and flat open spaces for everyone to use, an improved setting for the De La Warr Pavilion and is scheduled to be completed by mid-2011.

Bexhill beach has beach huts to hire, rock pools to explore and the sea is safe for many water and windsports - sailing, rowing, windsurfing, kitesurfing and angling. Bexhill Sailing Club has a full programme of racing each weekend throughout March to November and members of the local Rowing Club can often be seen on the sea.

Egerton Park is located to the west of the town centre and is beautifully landscaped with its own boating lake, tennis courts and children’s adventure playground. The acclaimed Bexhill Museum (patron, Eddie Izzard) is adjacent to Egerton Park and has been newly refurbished and extended and the main galleries include Costume and Motor Racing heritage as well as local history. Key exhibits include the 1958 Bexhill built ‘Elva’ sports racing car and the original architect’s model of the De La Warr Pavilion.

The picturesque, tranquil Bexhill Old Town is set inland above the town centre with antique shops and charming architecture. Enjoy the classic Georgian buildings, 16^th century cottages and the Parish Church of St Peter with its 8^th century reliquary stone and the peaceful Manor Gardens.  

In the town centre there is an excellent selection of small, independent shops including vintage and retro clothing as well as some great restaurants, cafes, tearooms and pubs.